Douglas Furber

Douglas Furber (13 May 1885 – 20 February 1961) was a British lyricist and playwright.

Furber is best known for the lyrics to the 1937 song "The Lambeth Walk" and the libretto to the musical Me and My Girl, composed by Noel Gay, from which it came. This show made broadcasting history when in 1939 it became the first full-length musical to be broadcast on television. A 1986 revival went on to achieve great acclaim, and was nominated for Tony Awards for both Best Score and Best Book.

Furber made his first entry into songwriting with the Australian born composer A. Emmett Adams. Following a visit to St. Mary's Church, Southampton, England in 1914, the two wrote "The Bells of St. Mary's". The song was published in 1917. This became a major hit in the United States despite having been originally rejected by the publishers. In 1945, Bing Crosby had a hit with "The Bells of St. Mary's" after it was used as the title song to the film of the same name.

Other hits included "Limehouse Blues" from 1924, written with composer Philip Braham.

Furber also made a few appearances on stage.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1885 (Greater London), Died February 20, 1961 (Greater London)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1918 - 1945

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-59 of 59 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Edison 7593 10-in. 10/21/1920 The bells of St. Mary's Lewis James Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 8345 10-in. 1/24/1922 The mill by the sea Walter Scanlan Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 11170 10-in. 8/13/1926 The far-away bells Walter Scanlan Male vocal solo, with bells lyricist  
Gramophone 0EA700 10-in. 12/6/1934 I think I can Jack Jackson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Gramophone 0EA5151 10-in. 1/1/1938 Me and my girl Ronnie Munro Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Gramophone 0EA5986 10-in. 1/15/1938 The Lambeth walk Ronnie Munro Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Gramophone 0B6474 10-in. Three wishes Ray Noble Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Gramophone 0B6476 10-in. 3/16/1933 Let me give you my happiness Ray Noble Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia (U.K.) CL6791 10-in. 9/20/1938 Lambeth walk Jo Bouillon ; Orchestre Jo Bouillon Instrumental ensemble lyricist  
(Results 51-59 of 59 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Furber, Douglas," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105957.

Furber, Douglas. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105957.

"Furber, Douglas." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105957

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